The subway and train networks in Osaka are both excellent. The subway provides efficient and easy-to-use transport services within the city. The Osaka Municipal Transportation Bureau (tel: (06) 6311 2995; website: www.kotsu.city.osaka.jp/english) operates the city's seven subway lines, providing the fastest and easiest way to get around Osaka. Japan Railways West (tel: (06) 375 8981; website: www.westjr.co.jp/english) operates a dense train network in the Osaka region, including a loop line around the city connecting with major terminals. Hankai Railway (tel: (06) 6671 5170; website: www.hankai.co.jp) operates a streetcar on the Hankai Tramway Uemachi Line from Tennoji to Sumiyoshikoen or Abikomichi in the south of Osaka.

One-day passes for the subway are available, except on the so-called ‘No-My-Car-Days' when a special discount ticket is available instead. These are days (every Friday and on the 20th of every month) when people are encouraged to use the subway rather than their cars.

There is a vast taxi fleet in Osaka, and taxis generally offer a good, reliable service. Osaka taxi companies include Aozora Kotsu (tel: (06) 6793 8180), Chidori Taxi Co Ltd (tel: (06) 6661 2181), Inoyama Taxi Co Ltd (tel: (06) 6328 2510), Osaka Kojin Taxi Rengokai (tel: (06) 6771 1437) and Toho Taxi Co Ltd (tel: (06) 6659 2523).

There are numerous car hire companies operating in Osaka. Among them are Hertz (tel: (06) 6363 8000; website: www.hertz.com), National (tel: (06) 6371 9354; website: www.nationalcar.com) and Nippon Rent-A-Car (tel: (06) 6232 0919 or (03) 3485 7196 for English service desk; website: www.nipponrentacar.co.jp).

Bicycle hire is available from several hotels and hostels in Osaka, including Osaka Downtown Hostel (tel: (090) 3861 5641; website: www.osaka-downtown-hostel.com), Hotel Taiyo (tel: (06) 6631 0802; website: www.hotel-taiyo.com/en), Hotel Chuo (tel: (06) 6647 7561; website: www.hotel-chuo.com/english) and Novotel Koshien Osaka West (tel: (079) 848 1111; website: www.accorhotels.com.au).